A busy Friday for Red Wing firefighters; GoFundMe started for displaced family

Red Wing firefighters had a busy day Friday, Feb. 23, responding to house fire and multiple medical calls.

Red Wing Fire Department responded after 5 p.m. to a fire in a rental house on Sixth Street, according to a news release from Red Wing Fire Chief Shannon Draper. Heavy smoke was reported coming from the second floor.

The occupants, who all escaped safely, reported the fire started in a bedroom, the news release states. Firefighters contained the fire to the bedroom. The home sustained moderate smoke, fire and water damage. The family of six who were renting the home received assistance from the American Red Cross and fire department chaplain.

Less than an hour earlier at 4:17 p.m. Friday, firefighters responded to assist Red Wing police with a possible water rescue. Marine 2 was launched and four firefighters suited up in cold water gear.

Also Friday afternoon, firefighters responded to a medical call in Welch and a medical transfer from a nursing home to the hospital, RWFD says. The department's staffing matrix uses career and paid-on-call firefighters to ensure readiness.